England defeated France 6-4 in a high-scoring third-place playoff match, securing their best World Cup finish since 1966. The game, described as dramatic and chaotic, saw Kylian Mbappé break Lionel Messi’s all-time World Cup scoring record, though his efforts were not enough for France to claim the bronze medal.
England established a 4-0 lead by halftime. Mbappé then scored his 21st and 22nd World Cup goals, surpassing Messi’s record. These two goals also brought his tournament total to 10, placing him in the lead for the Golden Boot race. Michael Olise contributed to both of Mbappé’s goals, achieving seven assists in the tournament and breaking Pelé’s record for the most assists in a single World Cup, a record that had stood since 1970.
England’s Performance and Manager’s Reaction
Despite France’s second-half resurgence, Bukayo Saka completed a hat-trick with a late penalty, and Jude Bellingham scored England’s sixth goal. This victory marks England’s best World Cup performance on foreign soil, earning them their first medal since 1966.
England manager Thomas Tuchel addressed questions about regaining the trust of England fans following the team’s defeat to Argentina. Tuchel stated he takes responsibility for decisions made during that match, acknowledging that his plans did not work out. He expressed confidence that the team built more during the World Cup than they lost in the Argentina game, emphasizing the need to earn trust daily in international football.
Tuchel reflected on the bronze medal, calling it the first medal since 1966 and on foreign soil. He admitted it was painful to miss out on the final, but highlighted the importance of reacting on the pitch. The manager noted that the dramatic 6-4 victory provided a positive end to the tournament for the players and himself, helping to move past earlier criticism.
Record-Breaking Match and Player Achievements
The third-place playoff was a remarkable contest, with both teams displaying strong attacking play. France’s defensive strategy in the first half allowed England to score frequently, leading to a 4-0 halftime score. In the second half, France improved significantly, creating numerous scoring opportunities.
The match was the sixth in men’s World Cup history to feature 10 or more goals, and the highest-scoring game since 1982. This result also marked only the second time since 1992 that England defeated a higher-ranked opponent at the World Cup, the other instance being a group-stage victory over Argentina in 2002.
Kylian Mbappé’s two goals in the match brought his total World Cup goals to 22, making him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history. He surpassed Lionel Messi, who had reached 21 goals earlier in the tournament. Mbappé, at 27, has participated in multiple World Cups, scoring four goals in 2018, eight in 2022, and continuing to add to his tally in the 2026 tournament.
Other notable high-scoring players in World Cup history include Miroslav Klose, Ronaldo (Brazil), Harry Kane, and Gerd Müller. Just Fontaine holds the record for the most goals in a single World Cup, with 13 goals in six games during the 1958 tournament.
Future Outlook for France and England
France’s manager, Didier Deschamps, discussed the game and his 14-year tenure, stating he did not want this match to define his career. He acknowledged the pain of the semi-final defeat but emphasized the emotions and shared experiences with the French people. Deschamps also wished the next French manager well, expressing pride in his service to the team and confidence in the team’s potential to remain at a high level.
For England, the match also saw a significant change in goal, with Dean Henderson starting. This was England’s first major tournament game without Jordan Pickford starting in goal in 10 years, ending Pickford’s streak of 33 consecutive major-tournament starts. Henderson made several saves in the first half before conceding four goals in the second half.
The World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina is scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium.
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Source: nytimes.com
